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FDIC Enforcement Decisions and Orders

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   [10,071] In the Matter of Greenbush State Bank, Greenbush, Minnesota, Docket No. FDIC-90-80b (5-8-90).

   Bank to cease and desist from practices such as operating with an excessive volume of adversely classified assets, with practices which produce excessive {{10-31-93 p.C-354}}loan losses, with deficient or inadequate loan documentation; paying excessive cash dividends in relation to Bank's net income and capital position; failing to submit Reports of Condition and Income; providing inadequate supervision over the affairs of Bank; violating applicable laws; and engaging in hazardous lending and lax collection practices. (This order was terminated by order of the FDIC dated 8-25-93; see15, 718.)

   [.1] Management—Qualifications—Compliance
   [.2] Assets—Adversely Classified—Reduce
   [.3] Loans—Risk Position—Minimum Requirements
   [.4] Loans—Extension of Credit—Curtail
   [.5] Loans—Accrued Interest—Reduce—Exceptions
   [.6] Loan Policy—Minimum Requirements—Review
   [.7] Profit Plan—Minimum Requirements—Review
   [.8] Funds Management—Minimum Requirements—Review
   [.9] Shareholders—Dividends—Approval
   [.10] Technical Exceptions—Eliminate/Correct
   [.11] Violations of Law—Eliminate/Correct
   [.12] Shareholders—Disclosure—Cease and Desist Order
   [.13] Compliance—Progress Reports—Frequency
   [.14] Brokered Deposits—Curtail—Exception

In the Matter of

GREENBUSH STATE BANK
GREENBUSH, MINNESOTA
(State Nonmember Insured Bank)

ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST

   Greenbush State Bank, Greenbush, Minnesota ("Bank"), having been advised of its right to a Notice of Charges and of Hearing detailing the unsafe or unsound banking practices and violations of law and/or regulations alleged to have been committed by the Bank and of its right to a hearing on such alleged charges under section 8(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. [H][I] 1818(b), and having waived those rights, entered into a STIPULATION AND CONSENT TO THE ISSUANCE OF AN ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST ("CONSENT AGREEMENT") with counsel for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"), dated April 24, 1990, whereby solely for the purpose of this proceeding and without admitting or denying any unsafe or unsound banking practices or violations of law and/or regulations, the Bank consented to the issuance of an ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST ("ORDER") by the FDIC.
   The FDIC considered the matter and determined that it had reason to believe that the Bank had engaged in unsafe or unsound banking practices and had violated laws and/or regulations. The FDIC, therefore, accepted the CONSENT AGREEMENT and issued the following:

ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST
   IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, that the Bank, its Institution-Affiliated Parties, as that term is defined in section 3(u) of the Act, 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u), and its successors and assigns cease and desist from the following unsafe and unsound banking practices and violations of law and regulations:
   A. operating with an excessive volume of adversely classified assets;
   B. engaging in hazardous lending and lax collection practices, including maintaining an excessive volume of adversely classified loans;
   C. engaging in violations of applicable laws and regulations;
   D. operating with management whose policies and practices are detrimental to the Bank or engaging in management policies and practices which are detrimental to the Bank;
   E. operating with deficient or inadequate loan documentation, including but not limited to current financial statements, insur- {{4-1-90 p.C-355}}ance coverage, title searches or legal opinions, and cash flow and/or operating information;
   F. engaging in practices which produce excessive loan losses;
   G. failing to provide adequate supervision and direction over the affairs of the Bank to prevent unsafe or unsound practices and violations of law and/or regulations;
   H. paying excessive cash dividends in relation to the Bank's net income and/or capital position; and
   I. failing to submit Reports of Condition and Income in accordance with prevailing instructions.
   IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that the Bank, its Institution-Affiliated Parties, and its successors and assigns, take affirmative action as follows:

   [.1] 1. (a)(i) The Bank shall have and retain qualified management. Such management shall include a qualified chief executive officer who shall be given stated written authority by the Bank's board of directors, including responsibility for implementing and maintaining the policies of the Bank. The chief executive officer shall have an appropriate level of experience to perform the duties assigned to that individual by the Bank's board of directors, including those involving securities transactions. The Bank shall promptly notify the Regional Director of the FDIC's Kansas City Regional Office ("Regional Director") of the identity of said chief executive officer. Prior to the addition of any individual to the board of directors or the employment of any individual as a senior executive officer, the Bank shall comply with the requirements of section 32 of the Act, 12 U.S.C. §1831(i), and section 303.14 of the FDIC's Rules and Regulations, 54 Fed. Reg. 53040 and 53043 (to be codified at 12 C.F.R. §303.14).

       (ii) The assessment of whether the Bank has "qualified management" shall be based upon management's conduct, both individual and joint, with respect to the Bank in: (A) complying with the requirements of this ORDER; (B) complying with applicable laws and regulations; and (C) not engaging in any unsafe or unsound banking practice which has an adverse effect on the Bank's asset quality, capital adequacy, earnings, or liquidity.
   (b) The board of directors shall in no more than 90 days from the effective date of this ORDER develop a written analysis and assessment of the Bank's management and staffing needs ("management plan"), which shall include, at a minimum:
       (i) identification of both the type and number of officer positions needed to manage and supervise properly the affairs of the Bank;
       (ii) identification and establishment of such Bank committees as are needed to provide guidance and oversight to active management;
       (iii) evaluation of each Bank officer, and in particular the chief executive officer and the senior lending officer, and staff members to determine whether these individuals posses the ability, experience and other qualifications required to perform present and anticipated duties, including adherence to the Bank's established policies and practices, and maintenance of the Bank in a safe and sound condition; and
       (iv) a plan of action to recruit and hire any additional or replacement personnel with the requisite ability, experience and other qualifications, which the board of directors determines are necessary to fill Bank officer or staff member positions consistent with the board's analysis, evaluation and assessment as provided in paragraphs 1(b)(i) and 1(b)(iii) of this ORDER.
   (c) The written management plan and any subsequent modification thereto shall be submitted to the Regional Director for review and comment. No more than 30 days from the receipt of any comment from the Regional Director, and after consideration of such comment, the board of directors shall approve the written management plan and/or any subsequent modification thereto which approval shall be recorded in the minutes of the board of directors. Thereafter, the Bank and its Institution-Affiliated Parties shall implement and follow the written management plan and/or any subsequent modification thereto.
   (d) The written management plan shall also include the requirement that the board of directors of the Bank provide supervision {{4-1-90 p.C-356}}over lending, investment and operating policies of the Bank sufficient to ensure that the Bank complies with the provisions of this Order.

   [.2] 2. No more than 10 days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank: (1) shall eliminate from its books, by charge-off, collection, or other proper entries, all assets or portions of assets classified "Loss" as of October 24, 1989; and (2) shall either (A) eliminate from its books by charge-off, collection, or other proper entries, or (B) if the asset is an extension of credit or lease, increase its allowance for loan and lease losses by an amount equal to, 50 percent of those assets or portions of assets classified "Doubtful" as of October 24, 1989, which have not been previously collected, charged off, or otherwise eliminated by other proper entries. Reduction of these assets through use of proceeds of loans made by the Bank does not constitute collection for the purpose of this paragraph.

   [.3] 3. (a) Within 60 days from the effective date of this ORDER, the board of directors shall develop a written plan of action to lessen the Bank's risk position in each line of credit aggregating $50,000 or more which was classified "Substandard" or "Doubtful" as of October 24, 1989. In developing such plan, the Bank shall, at a minimum:

       (i) review the financial position of each such borrower, including source of repayment, repayment ability, and alternative repayment sources; and
       (ii) evaluate the available collateral for each such credit, including possible actions to improve the Bank's collateral position.
    Based upon such review and evaluation, the written plan of action shall: (A) establish target dollar levels to which the Bank shall reduce the aggregate dollar volume of "Substandard" or "Doubtful" classifications within 6 and 12 months from the effective date of this ORDER; and (B) provide for the submission of written monthly progress reports to the Bank's board of directors for review and notation in the board minutes. As used in this paragraph 5, "reduce" means to (1) collect, (2) charge off, or (3) improve the quality of such assets so as to warrant removal of any adverse classification by the FDIC.
   (b) The written plan of action described by paragraph 5(a) and any subsequent modification thereto shall be submitted to the Regional Director for review and comment. No more than 30 days after the receipt of any comment from the Regional Director, the board of directors shall approve the written plan of action, which approval shall be recorded in the minutes of the board of directors. Thereafter, the Bank and its Institution-Affiliated Parties shall follow the written plan of action and/or any subsequent modification.

   [.4] 4. Effective the date of this ORDER, the Bank shall not extend, directly or indirectly, credit to, or for the benefit of, any borrower who has a loan or other extension of credit with the Bank that has been charged off or classified, in whole or in part, "Loss", "Doubtful", or "Substandard", and is uncollected, unless a majority of the Bank's board of directors first (1) determines that such advance is in the best interest of the Bank, (2) determines that the Bank has satisfied the requirements set out in paragraph 5 of this ORDER as to such borrower, and (3) approves such advance. A written record of the board of directors' determination and approval of any advance under the terms of this paragraph 6 shall be maintained in the credit file of the affected borrower(s) as well as the minutes of the board of directors. The requirements of this paragraph 6 do not prohibit the Bank from renewing any credit already extended to the borrower.

   [.5] 5. Effective the date of this Order, the Bank shall not accrue interest on any loan that is, or becomes, ninety (90) days or more delinquent as to principal or interest, unless the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection; "well secured" and "in the process of collection" shall have the same meaning as those terms have in the prevailing Instructions for the Reports of Condition and Income. The Bank shall reverse on its books all previously accrued but uncollected interest on any loan that has ceased to accrue interest pursuant to this provision.

   [.6] 6. (a) No more than 60 days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall revise its written loan policy which revision shall include, at a minimum:

       (i) the lending authority of the loan officer;
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       (ii) the lending authority of a loan or executive committee, if any;
       (iii) the responsibility of the board of directors in reviewing, ratifying and approving loans;
       (iv) the guidelines under which unsecured loans will be granted;
       (v) the guidelines for rates of interest and terms of repayment for unsecured loans and secured loans;
       (vi) with regard to secured loans; (1) limitations on the amount advanced in relation to the value of the collateral, and (2) the documentation required by the Bank for each type of secured loan;
       (vii) the maintenance and review of complete and current credit files on each borrower;
       (viii) appropriate and adequate collection procedures, including, but not limited to, the actions to be taken against borrowers who fail to make timely payments;
       (ix) guidelines establishing limitations on the maximum volume of loans in relation to total assets and total deposits;
       (x) appropriate limitations on extension of credit through overdrafts and cash items;
       (xi) the determination and documentation of sources and terms of loan repayment;
       (xii) retention of lien searches and appraisals covering personal property and liens on real estate;
       (xiii) maintenance of written, individual loan file comments by officers;
       (xiv) provisions addressing the capitalization of accrued and unpaid interest on loans;
       (xv) procedures regarding designations of nonaccrual loans;
       (xvi) procedures for identifying, supervising, and collecting problem loans; and
       (xvii) periodic review of the overdue, problem and/or adversely classified or special mention loans by the directorate, so as to monitor management's administration of such distressed credits, and to provide guidance.
   (b) The revised written loan policies and any subsequent modification thereto shall be submitted to the Regional Director for review and comment. No more than 30 days after the receipt of any comment from the Regional Director, the board of directors shall approve the written loan policies and/or any subsequent modification thereto which approval shall be recorded in the minutes of the board of directors. Thereafter, the Bank and its Institution-Affiliated Parties shall follow the written loan policies and/or any subsequent modification thereto.

   [.7] 7. (a) No more than 30 days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall develop a written profit plan consisting of goals and strategies for improving the earnings of the Bank, which written profit plan shall include, at a minimum:

       (i) identification of the major areas in, and means by, which the board of directors will seek to improve the Bank's operating performance;
       (ii) realistic and comprehensive budgets;
       (iii) a budget review process to monitor the income and expenses of the Bank to compare actual figures with budgetary projections; and
       (iv) a description of the operating assumptions that form the basis for, and adequately support, major projected income and expense components.
   (b) The written profit plan and any subsequent modification thereto shall be submitted to the Regional Director for review and comment. No more than 30 days after the receipt of any comment from the Regional Director, the board of directors shall approve the written profit plan and any subsequent modification thereto which approval shall be recorded in the minutes of the board of directors. Thereafter, the Bank and its Institution-Affiliated Parties shall follow the written profit plan and/or any subsequent modification thereto.

   [.8] 8. (a) No more than 90 days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall develop a written funds management policy which shall, at a minimum:

       (i) establish adequate recordkeeping systems to track the volume of (A) rate-sensitive assets and (B) rate-sensitive liabilities. Rate-sensitive assets and liabilities are generally defined as those that either mature or can be repriced during a
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    specified time period (90 days, 180 days, one year);
       (ii) establish a range of acceptable ratios for rate-sensitive assets to rate-sensitive liabilities sufficient to protect the bank against excessive interest-rate risk and ensure that an adequate net interest margin is maintained;
       (iii) establish adequate recordkeeping systems to track the volume of (A) stable or core deposits and (B) volatile deposits;
       (iv) establish guidelines for offsetting a substantial portion of the Bank's volatile deposits and borrowings with liquid, short-term assets;
       (v) establish investment guidelines for funds derived from negotiable-rate certificates of deposit and borrowings, including a maximum large liability dependency ratio. A large liability dependency ratio means the percentage of loans plus other long-term earning assets that may be funded by negotiable-rate certificate of deposits and borrowing;
       (vi) establish a range of acceptable loan-to-deposit ratios, taking into account seasonal deposit fluctuations;
       (vii) establish a borrowing policy which addresses: (A) when or under what conditions the bank may borrow, (B) maximum amounts that may be borrowed, (C) a list of acceptable creditors, and (D) which officers are authorized to borrow;
       (viii) establish contingency plans for meeting large, unexpected withdrawals, which should include: (A) curtailing lending activity with priority given to specific types of credit and (B) establishing lines of credit with other financial institutions which will advance funds on short notice; and
       (ix) establish a funds-management committee to meet at least monthly to determine how best to allocate the Bank's available funding sources among various asset categories after reviewing: (A) the Bank's liquidity position, (B) outstanding commitments such as loan commitments and letters of credit, and (C) the Bank's rate-sensitivity position and net interest margin.
   (b) The funds management policy shall be coordinated with the Bank's loan, investment, operating, and budget and profit planning policies.
   (c) The written funds management policy and any subsequent modification thereto shall be submitted to the Regional Director for review and comment. No more than 30 days from the receipt of any comment from the Regional Director, the board of directors shall approve the written funds management policy and any subsequent modification thereto, which approval shall be recorded in the minutes of the board of directors. Thereafter, the Bank and its Institution-Affiliated Parties shall follow the written funds management policy and/or any subsequent modification thereto.

   [.9] 9. The Bank shall not pay or declare any cash dividends without the prior written consent of the Regional Director.

   [.10] 10. No more than 60 days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall correct the technical exceptions on loans noted on pages 2-d through 2-d-3 of the FDIC's Report of Examination of the Bank as of October 24, 1989.

   [.11] 11. No more than 60 days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall eliminate and/or correct all violations of law and regulations committed by the Bank as described on pages 6-1 through 6-1-b of the FDIC's Report of Examination of the Bank as of October 24, 1989.

   [.12] 12. Following the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall send to its shareholders a description of this ORDER, (1) in conjunction with the Bank's next shareholder communication, and also (2) in conjunction with its notice or proxy statement preceding the Bank's next shareholder meeting. The description shall fully describe the ORDER in all material respects. The description and any accompanying communication, statement, or notice shall be sent to the FDIC, Registration and Disclosure Unit, Washington, D.C. 20429, for review at least 20 days prior to dissemination to shareholders. Any changes requested to be made by the FDIC shall be made prior to dissemination of the description, communication, notice, or statement.

   [.13] 13. The Bank shall furnish written progress reports to the Regional Director and the Commissioner of Commerce for the State of Minnesota ("Commissioner") detailing the form and manner of any action taken to secure compliance with this ORDER and the results thereof every 90 days, beginning 90 days from the effective date of the ORDER. In addition, the Bank shall {{11-30-92 p.C-359}}furnish such reports on request of either the Regional Director or the Commissioner. All progress reports and other written responses to this ORDER shall be reviewed by the board of directors of the Bank and made a part of the minutes of the board meeting.

   [.14] 14. Effective the date of this ORDER, the Bank shall not accept, renew, or rollover, whether on the same or differing terms and conditions, any brokered deposit unless it has applied for and been granted permission by the Regional Director. Such application shall be made in accordance with the requirements of section 29 of the Act, 12 U.S.C. § 1831f, and section 337.6 of the FDIC's Rules and Regulations, 54 Fed. Reg. 51012 (to be codified at 12 C.F.R. § 337.6). For purposes of this ORDER, the term "brokered deposits" shall have the meaning as set forth in section 337.6.
   15. This ORDER shall become effective ten (10) days from the date of its issuance.
   The provisions of this ORDER shall be binding upon the Bank, its Institution-Affiliated Parties, successors and assigns.
   The provisions of this ORDER shall remain effective and enforceable except to the extent that, and until such time as, any provisions of this ORDER shall have been modified, terminated, suspended, or set aside by the FDIC.
   Pursuant to delegated authority.
   Date of Issuance: May 8, 1990

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